important function

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "important function" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a role or purpose that holds significance or value in a particular context. Example: "The important function of this committee is to ensure that all voices are heard in the decision-making process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He talks of the importance of education, calling it society's "most important function".

The New York Times

"It was an important function".

The New York Times

"Well, what's our most important function?

The New Yorker

Adding calcium accomplishes another important function.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Privacy is a very important function".

The New York Times

Nicknames once had an important function.

The New York Times

Design filled a necessary and increasingly important function.

The Guardian

He also provides a more important function, Mr. Jackson said.

The New York Times

I'm just saying, important, important function.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That's a very, very important function.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But Eustis believes that his more important function lies elsewhere.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the impact of a function, use stronger synonyms like "crucial" or "vital" to enhance the significance.

Common error

While "important function" is valid, avoid overuse by varying your language with synonyms like "significant role" or "essential task" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "important function" primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a role, purpose, or task that holds considerable significance. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

22%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "important function" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a significant role or purpose. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans across diverse fields, particularly news, academia, science, and encyclopedias. While versatile, it's advisable to use synonyms such as "significant role" or "essential task" to avoid repetition. Its formality ranges from neutral to formal, making it suitable for various writing styles. Remember to highlight the impact of the function using stronger synonyms when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant role

Replaces 'important function' with a synonym emphasizing the extent of influence or impact.

crucial task

Substitutes 'function' with 'task', highlighting the essential and necessary nature of the duty.

vital purpose

Emphasizes the necessity and critical nature of the function or objective.

key responsibility

Highlights the accountability and duty aspect, rather than the functional aspect.

essential element

Focuses on the compositional aspect, emphasizing that the function is a necessary component.

major contribution

Stresses the impact and beneficial effect of the function.

primary objective

Shifts the focus to the goal or aim that the function serves.

central aspect

Indicates that the function is a core or fundamental part of something.

principal role

Emphasizes the chief or main function.

critical operation

Highlights the practical and active nature of the function.

FAQs

How can I use "important function" in a sentence?

You can use "important function" to describe a key role or purpose. For example, "The most "important function" of a vice president is to serve as a spare president."

What can I say instead of "important function"?

You can use alternatives like "significant role", "crucial task", or "vital purpose" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "very important function"?

While not strictly redundant, "very important function" can often be streamlined. Consider using stronger alternatives like "essential function" or "critical function" for greater impact.

What's the difference between "important function" and "key feature"?

"Important function" typically refers to a role or purpose something serves, while "key feature" describes a notable attribute or characteristic. For example, providing security is an "important function" of a government, while having a fingerprint sensor is a "key feature" of a smartphone.